Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-11-01
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH rs APPLIED TO A.
i peculiar disorder of the nostrilr and ad-
iacent parts, which prevails 10 an alarming
extent, and is productive OF very serious
consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic
feature Is morbid discharge from the head,
varying in Its nature at different times.
In some there is an almost constant flow
of clear, acrid fluid, but oftener an Offensive,
purulent or muco-purulent, greenish-yellow
matter is secreted, which accumulates In
the nostrils or drops into the throat, neces-
stating Its frequent removal By blowing ths,
nose or expeetoration, and often by both
processes sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in a state OF rotten
ness, so great is the amount of matter dis
charged and so fetid Is its odor The pa.
tient is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of tho mo, bid
matter from the head, and as q recumbent
position naturally favors the flow downward
cause. Many sufferers are Obliged to lie lie iii, in
the head very much elevated in order to
sleep with some degree OF comfort.
In others tough, viecid and offensive
ph1egn collects bcnind and above the soft
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhefing to the parts with gltish tenac.
ity. Its loogment embarrasscs respiration
and creates sensation of irritation and utl-
easiness in the affected locality, which gives
sire to relieve that discOm fort by drawing
the mucus into the throat so as to eject 1t by
the mouth. This practice, popularly known
as hawking" Is characteristic OF catsrrh,
and proves us EN- harr0ssing to the one af-
fected as it Is disagreeable to those around
him. =
Again, the offensive matter hardens and
deposits itself OIL the membrane in the shape
of dry, hard cOncretions, which are dis
charged by way OF the nostrils or throat in
humps or fragments of a deep green tint In
some cases these incrustatfOns accumulate
to such an extent us to form a regular plug
in the nose, which obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort So firmly do
these inerustations adhere to the point OF
attachment that their removal usually re-
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre-
quently they have to be torn from the mem
brane occasionally IL solid cast of notable
size is expelled, on which thereare gens rally
traces oi blood, but in some cases the cast
p-esents 2 tupular appearance, being of exact
shape oi the nasal cavity. This condition is
indicative OF liberation, which, In time,
may destroy the bony structure OF the nose
and produce subsequent fattening of that
organ.
thick, viscid, slimy secretion coats the
membrane OF the nasal cavities and then
putrefies, giving rise to a stencil which is
really overpowering, and sufficiently fctid
to poison the atmosphere of n whole room !;
aud there are others in which all the secre-
dons OF the membrane are suspended ca,Is-
ing an unpleasant feeling of dryness heat
and feverishness in the head and nose--s
condition popularly known as DRY
The disease speedily extends to the air
cavities OF the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to a dist. essing sensation Of
head, especially in the region above and bs-
tween the eyes. and TO a feeling OF fulness,
heat, irritation, sOr ness or pal in the nos
trils near the root OF the nose, ss well as In
the upper part of the throat, above and be-
hind Che soft palate. Sometimes there fs
pain obstinately fixed In some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top OF the
head, at the back OF the neck, or behind the
orbits, and, occasionally, pain manifests
that It is frequently mistaken for n, nrslgia.
The breath is always tainted, and at tines
assumes an Exceeding fetid and sickeniug
odor. In some cases 1t becomes so revolt
ingly offensive as to render the sufferer an
object OF disgust to himself as well az TO
others.
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped Up,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on both, giving rise to
disagreeGble, stuffy sensation In the head
and occasioning violent and prolonged
paroxysms of sneezng.
The voice is weak, Indistinct and huaky.
or of q nasal character, displaying a sort of
shifting guolity. 0ftentimes there is a con-
unuous hoarseness and discOrdanco. There
Is also sense of irritation in tho part,
and frequent attempts to clear the throat OF
phlegn, producing the sound "hem," more
or less forcibiy. In some cases patients
complain of an uncomfortable feeling of
fuiiness, or choky sensation in the throat,
and In Others of distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief OF
which they have to swallow frcauentlv
Others; again, speak of u constant bad or
nause0us taste in the mouth OF throat
The stomach generally suffers more or less
anu becomes weak and frrfphlt.. tho. t,n
Ute is capricious and nearly always bad in
the morning. The patient is languid, unable
70 perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, Is nervous, depressed In
spirits, at times fearful, timid, agiteted and
inclined to drowsiness and sleep, the mem
ory weakened and permanent impairment
seriously threatened.
The mucous membrane soon becomes
mOrbidly sensitive to unfavorable indu-
enccs, and in spite of the utmost caro- be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, 50
that ut last breath Of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive OF
a cold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
Is subject to frequent and repeated colds,
each attack aggrayating the disease by Civ
ing 1t new impulse and involving larger
extent of surface than Its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from, Or
gan to organ, invading the throat larnyx,
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-.
the finer qualifications of the bronchi, when
but slight impulse is required to send it to
the lungs. Catarrh may, and often does
affect other organs in the body, especially
those contain ng mucous membrane such
as the stomach, bowels, Kidneys, etc.
By the employment OF proper inhalstions
In the form of medicated vapor (not steam
or spray) we are able to produce Immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
in the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities. where 1t is utterly impos-
sible to make fluid applications. BY these
means every case can be cured
Persons desiring treatment by this system
of practice can use the remedy at home az
well IS at our Office, and which will cause
no Inconvenience Or hindrance to busiress
whatever.
have seen so many of these cascs ourea
that do not consider any case honeIess I'M
less the disease has advanced to the chest
and that both lungs are seriously ;nvoived
Even then the inhalations aid us In ,is.
solving the mueus and in contracting ana
healing the cavities, which nothing eise can
40 win tne same success. The VERY hest
references from those already cured. "o''